If you came from my 5 White Wines You Need To Try post, hello! Otherwise if you're starting here, welcome. Earlier this month I celebrated my 2 year wine blog anniversary and put together a list of my Top 10 Wines You Need To Try. Read below for how I narrowed down my top selections and where you could enjoy these delicious wines. As if there was an occasion ;)
If this is your first time visiting my blog, hello my name is Jackie and I'm a Napa-based Wine Blogger. I began my journey into wine blogging at the start of the pandemic in 2020 after receiving my WSET level 2 certification.
Like most wine enthusiasts our palate can change through the years but I can guarantee that if you drink good wine, you'll love my recommendations below.
Originally I curated my 10 Wines You Need To Try list, however for my blog purpose and to get a little more detailed, I decided to split it by white/rose wine and red wine categories. Below is my "red wine" portion. Read my 5 White Wines You Need to Try list here.
1. NICKEL & NICKEL, KENEFICK RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON, $145
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is how I would describe my ideal wine. Obviously not for everyday drinking but when you do enjoy, there's nothing quite like it. That being said, I've had plenty of NV Cabs and Nickel & Nickel Kenefick Ranch is hands down one of the best. Concentrated fruit, rich tannins, full-bodied and like their winemaker says, "great Cabernet can be both pretty and powerful." Purchase a bottle here. Other honorable Cab mentions: Insignia by Joseph Phelps, Odette Estate, and Quintessa. *Chef's kiss*
2. FLOWERS, SEA VIEW RIDGE PINOT NOIR, $75
My favorite Pinot Noir? Flowers Sea View Ridge Pinot Noir! When you're craving a luscious, medium-bodied, elegant and with a lingering finish Pinot Noir, this is your bottle. Yes, there are other Pinot's you can find for less but when you narrow down the best in quality and especially if you're gifting yourself or a loved one, reach for this one. You can find a bottle here.
3. CLOS DE L'ORATOIRE DES PAPES CDP ROUGE, $65
Located in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region in the Rhône Valley, Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes is the wine you never knew you needed. You know when you try something outside of your comfort zone and you end up loving it? Essentially that's what happened here with this bottle. Complex fruit, gentle spices, earthy and silky tannins. This wine tasted better and better as it opened up so I highly recommend decanting it for 30 minutes before tasting. Purchase a bottle here.
4. KRUPP BROTHERS, THE DOCTOR RED WINE, $100
You're telling me to spend $100 for a red blend? Yes. Hear me out! Krupp Brothers Stagecoach Vineyard in Napa Valley produces some of the best Cabernet-focused wines due to it's complex and rich soils. While each vintage may have a different blend you can always guarantee quality cabernet from Stagecoach. Purchase a bottle here. Check out my blog post from visiting their winery earlier this year here!
5. BARNETT VINEYARDS, MERLOT, $75
I love you Barnett Vineyards, Merlot. Coming from the top of Spring Mountain District, this wine is complex, full of fruit flavor and just a little spice. She's full bodied, silky and worth it. If you drink Cabs all the time and looking to switch up your palate with a bright and fruit driven red wine, check this one out. Shop the bottle here. Check out my blog post from my winery visit here.
Read my 5 White Wines You Need to Try list here. Do we have any common favorites? Let me know!